Salem town hall to be held Friday to discuss released time religious instruction at LifeWise Academy set
SALEM — A town hall is set to be held Friday to discuss released time religious instruction programming company LifeWise Academy.
LifeWise Academy is a Hillard based organization specializing in released time religious instruction programming during school hours which has been advertising its services in the city for students in grades 5-8. Under Ohio law parents have the right to have their children participate in off-campus bible education programming during the school day in designated non-academic time like lunch and recess.
The Salem City School District has issued multiple statements stating that the district has no partnership with LifeWise and has repeatedly disavowed any contradictory claims for over a year. The district maintains that it only complies with state mandates to provide parents who request it with the time in which their child can be taken for released time religious instruction and when they must be returned to school.
The event is open to the public and will begin at 5 p.m. at the Salem Historical Society at 239 S. Lundy Ave. to discuss LifeWise’ curriculum, funding sources, and hiring processes with four speakers including a former LifeWise volunteer and teacher. According to a press release, the event is intended to “raise awareness and encourage open dialogue around the organization’s goals, operations, and impact on public education” and to “offer parents, educators, and community members a chance to ask hard but important questions.”
Featured speakers will include: Youngstown City School District Teacher Heather Smith; former LifeWise volunteer, Leadership Board Member and Teacher Rachel Snell; Faith Reconstruction Guide Shane Russo; and Zach Parrish of the Secular Education Association.
“It’s important that every community that is about to be subjected to Lifewise and the harm they may or “shall” bring now in many states across the nation, both spiritually and financially have some awareness so they can make the best choices to protect their children and communities,” said Snell. “Although we come from different locations, backgrounds and religious beliefs, we are united in our purpose to prevent all children and communities from becoming victims, and we hope to inform the Salem community about what the outlook will be if they choose to proceed with LifeWise Academy as their provider for Release Time Religious Instruction and what other options they may have.”
mahart@mojonews.com